What did you like about this meeting, what did you dislike, what needs to be changed for the next meeting?

Vision

At DMA, our vision is to awaken within each child their unique potential that will enable them to make a valuable contribution to society.

Mission

The mission of Dixie Montessori Academy (DMA) is to provide a child-centered, individualized grade K-7 education founded upon the philosophy of Dr. Maria Montessori. DMA will foster a structured environment of freedom and discovery in which each child can reach his or her full academic, social, and personal potential. Graduates of DMA will demonstrate creative thinking, self-discipline, respect, and cooperation, and will build a solid foundation for future success.

Are the following policies clear and do they align with the DMA’s Mission and Vision?

Updated Charter Agreement

Updated Charter Document

7:20

Reserved for Closed Session

As needed, including Informal Mid-Year Director Evaluation

Adjourn

Chair

What did you like about this meeting, what did you dislike, what needs to be changed for the next meeting?

7:30

Vision

At DMA, our vision is to awaken within each child their unique potential that will enable them to make a valuable contribution to society.

Mission

The mission of Dixie Montessori Academy (DMA) is to provide a child-centered, individualized grade K-7 education founded upon the philosophy of Dr. Maria Montessori. DMA will foster a structured environment of freedom and discovery in which each child can reach his or her full academic, social, and personal potential. Graduates of DMA will demonstrate creative thinking, self-discipline, respect, and cooperation, and will build a solid foundation for future success.

Are the following policies clear and do they align with the DMA’s Mission and Vision?

7:20

Reserved for Closed Session

As needed

Adjourn

Chair

What did you like about this meeting, what did you dislike, what needs to be changed for the next meeting?

7:30

Vision

At DMA, our vision is to awaken within each child their unique potential that will enable them to make a valuable contribution to society.

Mission

The mission of Dixie Montessori Academy (DMA) is to provide a child-centered, individualized grade K-7 education founded upon the philosophy of Dr. Maria Montessori. DMA will foster a structured environment of freedom and discovery in which each child can reach his or her full academic, social, and personal potential. Graduates of DMA will demonstrate creative thinking, self-discipline, respect, and cooperation, and will build a solid foundation for future success.

Cash Policy (Proposed)

All cash collected will be reconciled in the presence of two authorized individuals. A receipt should be given whenever cash or checks are received in the business office. Cash and checks will be sealed in tamper-evident envelopes and delivered to the bank each evening. Petty cash, in the amount authorized by the Board, will be maintained in the office for daily business purposes. Checks will be made payable to Dixie Montessori Academy or DMA

LEA Fiscal Policies and Accountability Oversight Policy

Board Approved 18 Mar 2014

Dixie Montessori Academy (DMA) for purposes of the requirements in Utah Code R277-113 is considered a Local Education Agency (LEA).

The purpose of this policy is to (1) require DMA to formally adopt and implement policies regarding the management and use of public funds; (2) provide minimum standards, procedures and definitions for DMA policies; (3) direct DMA to make policies, procedures and training materials available to the public and readily accessible on the DMA websites, to the extent of resources available; (4) require DMA to train employees in appropriate financial practices, necessary accounting procedures and ethical financial practices; and (5) provide for consistency at DMA regarding fiscal policies, procedures and accountability practices.

Requirements

DMA satisfies the requirements of Utah Code 277-113 through multiple Board-level and operational-level policies and procedures as follows;

Ensuring that DMA management properly develops and adheres to a sound system of internal controls consistent with the requirements of R277-113-5.

Receive a report of the risk assessment process undertaken by DMA management in developing the system of internal controls;

Administer a process to review financial information, financial statements, and LEA and individual school records on a regular basis. Performance to budget will be reviewed by the Treasurer and the Board, at a periodicity set by the Treasurer. This periodicity will be at least bimonthly if not more frequently during the first operating year. The Business Administrator will prepare reports for the Treasurer to report actual financial performance against budget forecast and associated variances. These reports will be made to the Treasurer at the specified periodicity, who will in turn review this report in detail at Board Meetings.

Ensure that management conducts a competitive RFP process to hire external auditors and other professional services and making a recommendation to the LEA board on the results of the RFP process consistent with the State Procurement Code;

Receive communication from or meeting with the external auditors annually and receiving a direct report of the audit findings, exceptions, and other matters noted by the auditor;

Report the annual audit reports and findings or other matters communicated by the external auditor or other regulatory bodies to the LEA board in a public meeting;

Ensure that matters reported by external audits, internal audits, or other regulatory bodies are resolved in a timely manner.

Are the following policies clear and do they align with the DMA’s Mission and Vision?

7:20

Reserved for Closed Session

As needed

Adjourn

Chair

What did you like about this meeting, what did you dislike, what needs to be changed for the next meeting?

7:30

Vision

At DMA, our vision is to awaken within each child their unique potential that will enable them to make a valuable contribution to society.

Mission

The mission of Dixie Montessori Academy (DMA) is to provide a child-centered, individualized grade K-7 education founded upon the philosophy of Dr. Maria Montessori. DMA will foster a structured environment of freedom and discovery in which each child can reach his or her full academic, social, and personal potential. Graduates of DMA will demonstrate creative thinking, self-discipline, respect, and cooperation, and will build a solid foundation for future success.

Admissions Adjustment

Board Approved 13 Aug 2014

The Director will adjust admissions as necessary to achieve the long term goals of the school.

Training Policy

Board Approved 18 Mar 2014

Dixie Montessori Academy (DMA) provides Board Member and Employee training as a means to ensure compliance to applicable regulatory requirements and to help Employees develop and/or enhance their professional skills and to assist them with their career development goals.

Mandatory Training and Education

The DMA Board Members and Employees, primarily the Director and the Treasurer may be required to complete training as defined by the Utah State Office of Education (USOE) to comply with Public and Charter School requirements. Training may consist of online training modules, individual and group course based training among other methods. The Director will advise the Governing Body of upcoming mandatory trainings. If completion of the training will require travel, costs will be reimbursed in accordance with the Travel and Expense Policy. Governing Body approval is not required for Mandatory Training and Education.

Non-Mandatory Training and Education

From time to time a Board Member or Employee may benefit from specific online courses or training sessions, or the employee may request permission to take specific courses. The Director will review and make recommendations to the Board, to include costs, benefits and alternatives to the training. Subject to budgetary review, the Board will conduct timely review and disposition of the request. If approved, costs will be reimbursed in accordance with the Travel and Expense Policy.

Cost Controls

Performance to budget will be periodically reviewed by the Treasurer and the Board. The Director and Business Administrator will identify when Training-related costs are exceeding the pro-rated Training Budget for the year and make recommendations of measures to bring costs under control.

Training for LEA Fiscal and Accountability Oversight Policies.

The Board will train all members annually on all Local Education Agency (LEA) Fiscal Policies and Accountability Oversight Policies including all applicable state laws and USOE Board Rules.

Employment of Relatives Policy

Board Approved 31 Dec 2012

The purpose of our policy and procedures regarding the employment of relatives is to ensure employment at the school is based solely on merit and job availability, and secondly, to avoid the actual or perceived preferential treatment of relatives.
(1) DMA Operating Board members will not be related to DMA employees.
(2) Any decision regarding the hiring, termination, job performance review, salary or discipline of a DMA employee shall not be made by a relative;
(3) Candidates for employment at DMA must disclose any family relationships prior to employment; and
(4) Relatives may not act in a direct supervisory role over one another.
For purposes of this section, “relative” is defined as father, mother, husband, wife, son, daughter, sister, brother, aunt, uncle, mother-in-law, father-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, son-in-law, or daughter-in-law. Further protections against preferential treatment will also be contained in DMA’s conflict of interest policy which will require Board Members to disclose all financial interests they have in any service provided to the school.

Procurement Policy

Board Approved 18 Mar 2014

Dixie Montessori Academy (DMA) will be required to procure goods and services. This policy will establish the basic requirements and procedure required to comply with Utah State Office of Education (USOE) Public and Charter School requirements as well as other applicable guidance.

The Director and the Business Manager will establish, maintain and comply with a procedure that defines:

Cost Categories

Definitions for types of Purchases

Small purchase

Public notice

Sole Source

Emergency Purchase requirements

Multi-year Contracts

Controls required for each cost category

Proper use of Local Education Agency tax exempt status number

Cash Handling requirements

Construction and Improvements

Documentation required

Record Retention Requirements

Minimum requirements for Vendors

Potential Vendor Lists

Contributions from Vendors

Prohibited Practices

Possible Additions/Changes:
All checks must be made payable to Dixie Montessori Academy or DMA.
DMA will adhere to the Utah State Archives and records requirements for districts on all record retention requirements

Will this software meet our needs? Are we following proper procurement guidelines?

Finance Report

Monthly Finance Statement

Verify New Board Members & Employee Fingerprints and Background checks

Business Manager

How do actual expenses compare to the school’s budget?

7:00

Board Governance

Policy Review

Exhibit A

Chair

Are the following policies clear and do they align with the DMA’s Mission and Vision?

Policy on Voluntary Reduction in Work Schedule (VRWS)

Asset Protection

Communication and Support to the Board

Focus of Grants or Contracts

7:20

Reserved for Closed Session

As needed

Adjourn

Chair

What did you like about this meeting, what did you dislike, what needs to be changed for the next meeting?

7:30

Vision

At DMA, our vision is to awaken within each child their unique potential that will enable them to make a valuable contribution to society.

Mission

The mission of Dixie Montessori Academy (DMA) is to provide a child-centered, individualized grade K-7 education founded upon the philosophy of Dr. Maria Montessori. DMA will foster a structured environment of freedom and discovery in which each child can reach his or her full academic, social, and personal potential. Graduates of DMA will demonstrate creative thinking, self-discipline, respect, and cooperation, and will build a solid foundation for future success.

Voluntary Reduction in Work Schedule (VRWS) Policy (Proposed)

At their mutual discretion, the Director and Business Manger may decide to allow full-time contract professionals and staff members to request a documented, permanent reduction in working hours and corresponding pay. Before doing so they will establish and document a full VRWS procedure that specifies qualifying employees and events.

Asset Protection

Board Approved 11 Jan 2014

The Director will implement protections to safeguard the assets and property of the school to include:

Insurance against theft and casualty liability losses to Board members, staff and the organization itself.

Have a written building and equipment maintenance plan and document services performed in a timely manner.

Communication and Support to the Board

Board Approved 11 Jan 2014

The Director shall keep the board informed of all relevant and pertinent information to include:

Verify New Board Members & Employee Fingerprints and Background checks

Business Manager

How do actual expenses compare to the school’s budget?

7:00

Board Governance

Policy Review

Open & Public Meeting Training

Chair

Are the following policies clear and do they align with the DMA’s Mission and Vision?

Global Ends Policy

Community Interaction Policy

7:20

Reserved for Closed Session

As needed

Adjourn

Chair

What did you like about this meeting, what did you dislike, what needs to be changed for the next meeting?

7:30

Vision

At DMA, our vision is to awaken within each child their unique potential that will enable them to make a valuable contribution to society.

Mission

The mission of Dixie Montessori Academy (DMA) is to provide a child-centered, individualized grade K-7 education founded upon the philosophy of Dr. Maria Montessori. DMA will foster a structured environment of freedom and discovery in which each child can reach his or her full academic, social, and personal potential. Graduates of DMA will demonstrate creative thinking, self-discipline, respect, and cooperation, and will build a solid foundation for future success.

Global Ends Policy

Board Approved 11 Jan 2014

Dixie Montessori Academy exists to provide a child-centered, individualized grade K-7 education founded upon the philosophy of Dr. Maria Montessori. DMA will foster a structured environment of freedom and discovery in which each child can reach his or her full academic, social, and personal potential. Graduates of DMA will demonstrate creative thinking, self-discipline, respect, and cooperation, and will build a solid foundation for future success.

Philosophy

The learning environment of DMA is based on the Montessori philosophy because of its emphasis on the development of the whole child. Board members will strive to enact policies that agree with the tenets of Montessori philosophy.

Assessment Plan

Formative and summative assessments will be used to monitor student achievement and progress.

Annual objectives for each student will be established within the first two months of school at the first parent-teacher-student conference.

Weekly Work Plans will be created to support the annual objectives by listing the specific actions to be taken each week.

Rubrics will then be used regularly to monitor the students’ progress.

Assessment and reporting take place within a structure of explicit alignment between the Montessori curriculum and the required State Curriculum

Educational Program

The educational philosophy and methods of instruction supporting DMA’s mission and distinguishing its program include the following, each of which maps specifically to the Goals & Objectives enumerated in the charter:

Individualized & Differentiated Learning

Mixed-age Groupings

Integrated Teaching & Learning

Prepared Environment

Role of Teachers to Observe, Guide & Assess

Classroom Environment of Respect & Character Education

The Dixie Montessori Academy environment and curriculum will thus be based on the freedom of a highly individualized and self-directed education within the specifically “prepared environment” of vertical (multi-age) classrooms, specialized didactic materials, careful teacher observation and guidance, and a strong commitment to the values of self-discipline and respect. DMA’s educational program will likewise include frequent opportunities for parental involvement, regular and specific assessment of progress, and ongoing web-based reporting.

Community Interaction Policy

Board Approved 11 Jan 2014

The Director shall maintain organizational practices which provide ethical, safe and commonly accepted applications for all individuals within the school community

Treatment of students, parents, and community

The Director shall maintain policies which promote timely, organized and respectful treatment of all Dixie Montessori Academy community members

Accordingly, the Director shall:

Elicit information for which there is clear necessity.

Use methods of collecting, reviewing, transmitting, or storing information that safeguards confidential information.

Have policies in place which address safety, security and school accessibility.

Provide a policy for effective handling of grievances promptly and responsibly.

Ensure all stakeholders of Dixie Montessori Academy work together in an advisory capacity to provide students with educational experiences that meet the Board’s Ends.

Implement a homework policy designed to accomplish the school’s outcomes while taking into consideration the numerous outside demands on students.

Provide for controls to ensure compliance with all regulatory, federal and state requirements.

Treatment of Staff

The Director shall provide for policies and procedures which protect employee rights with regard to Equal Employment Opportunity as outlined in Federal Statute.

Accordingly, the Director shall:

Clarify rules and processes for staff.

Provide for effective handling of grievances or concerns.

Protect against wrongful conditions and preferential treatment.

Include position specific job descriptions, salary and compensation plans for all positions.

Include a personnel performance evaluation system that ensures the ends of the school are met.

Provide for hiring qualified staff

The school will not employ an individual whose license has been revoked or is currently suspended by the Utah State Board of Education or whose license has been revoked or is currently suspended by another state Board of Education.

Provide for termination and/or separation procedures.

Provide policy regarding staff travel to fulfill their official duties or to attend seminars, conferences or other professional or educational activities benefiting the school.

Open Government:

Public Body:

Convening of a public body with a quorum present for matters under the body’s jurisdiction or advisory powers

All meetings are open to the public unless closed in accordance with the act

Electronic information presented by an individual on an item on an agenda shall be provided to become part of the public record (S.B. 169)

Public Notice of Meetings:

Not less than a 24-hour public notice is required (agenda, date, time, and place)

Post the notice:

with the principal office of the public body

on the Utah Public Notice website

Agenda must include topics with reasonable specificity to notify the public,

No final action can be taken on a topic not listed on the posted agenda

Meeting Minutes:

Written minutes and an audio recording must be kept of all open meetings

Written minutes must include: date, time, and place; members present and absent; record of votes; names of people providing comments and a short summary of comments; and other information regarding what occurred, as requested by a member

Minutes must be approved by the public body, and pending minutes must be available within 30 days of the meeting (if it is a state public body)

Recording must be complete, unedited, and properly labeled and available to the public within three days of the meeting

Emergency Meetings:

The 24-hour notice may be disregarded for an emergency meeting

Must give the best notice practicable, including time, place, and topics to be considered

Must attempt to notify all members

Majority of members must approve holding the emergency meeting

Closed Meetings:

May only be held for certain specified items and, in most cases, requires a 2/3 vote to close

A quorum must be present to hold a closed meeting

Permitted closed meeting topics include:

discussion of character, professional competence, or health of an individual;

strategy sessions for collective bargaining, litigation, water rights, or sale of real property;

security and criminal misconduct;

certain ethics complaints;

trade secrets (S.B. 179);

and certain procurement information (S.B. 179)

A recording must be kept of a closed meeting with some exceptions

Electronic Meetings:

A meeting convened through electronic media may only be held if the public body has adopted a rule or ordinance governing the use of electronic meetings

The chair must then determine if sufficient equipment and connections are available to allow remote participation

24 May 2017, 5:30PM – 1160 N 645 West, Washington, Utah

Does the streamlined charter still reflect the identity of the existing charter? The goal is to remove all parts of the document related to building the school and just keep the actual charter core.

Strategy Discussion

Chair

Workshop End

6:25

Board Meeting Call to Order

Chair

6:30

Read Vision and Mission Statement

Chair

Approve Minutes from Previous Meeting

Secretary

Public Comment

6:35

Director’s Report

Short Celebration

Average Daily Membership

Classroom size Breakdown

Academic Progress Report

Director

6:45

Finance Report

Monthly Finance Statement

IT Contract for FY 17-18

Dayspring Rental

Written Response to USBE re Audit Non-compliance

Business Manager

How do actual expenses compare to the school’s budget?

7:00

Board Governance

Vote on streamlined Charter

Discuss requesting increase in student population

Chair

While the school and budget are built around 410 students there is some ebb and flow around that number. Requesting a larger population count will let us continue to receive funding when we are above that number to offset the loss when we drop below it. Additionally, this would also let us minimize classroom disruptions caused by constantly introducing now students into the environment.

7:20

Closed Session

Director Evaluation

Is the school fulfilling its mission inside the boundaries of our Charter agreement?

Adjourn

Chair

What did you like about this meeting, what did you dislike, what needs to be changed for the next meeting?